PlanningAlerts

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1. I cannot accept your proposal of building the Seniors and Social Housing Development in Point Clare.
   You are exposing our peaceful neighbourhood to potentially dangerous criminals, and forcing our region to thieves, drug users and sex offenders and their associates which makes me fear for me and my family’s safety. No on-site security personnel are proposed in your development and there are multiple unmonitored unsecured entry and exit points. It is also evident that if you build this the market value of our home will decrease by hundreds of thousands of dollars, losing decades worth of money we have worked for on having a stable future. Please relocate your development to another location, and sincerely think about the huge negative impact you are inflicting on our community without our consent.

2. Dear Council Member,

   I am writing this message to vehemently oppose the proposal to build the 55 units for joint senior and social housing. The majority of my opposition arises from the sheer lack of though put into the development. Point Clare as a suburb comprises primarily or elderly and families with children. By introducing such...undesirable...members of society within their vicinity compromises their safety and lowers the reputation of a suburb advertised as "family friendly".

   My mother is retired and has back problems and enjoys walking on the beachfront. I do not want to imagine a world where in she gets attacked or assaulted by a less than honorable member of society whom lives only a few blocks way. My sister also is short and frail but enjoys going out to the city at night with friends. I do not wish to hear that she was attacked on her way home walking back from the train station by people whom are under the influence of drugs.

   Now while these evens do happen, Point Clare is not a suburb that one would associate with such events. Point Clare is advertised by real estate agents as a quiet and safe neighborhood, hence why we moved in several years ago. With this development, real estate agents will no longer have the right to say such things and people will be forced to move for their safety as I doubt you would want your mother living in a dangerous suburb.

   However my family is unable to move and so if this development goes forward, our safety is compromised as we are unable to defend ourselves, as the only legal weapon you can carry, is your phone (to call the police with). Even legally, the person defending themselves with force may face a more severe punishment than the assailant.
   Now while I understand the necessity for such housing, the choice of location requires further investigation. Point Clare is too small of a suburb to house these deviant members of society and does not have the infrastructure to handle them. Furthermore, only 10 minutes away is the Gosford CBD and Woy Woy, both very large suburbs have more resources, more mental support, hospitals, clinics, treatment centers, supermarkets, cheap food but most importantly, POLICE.

   Point Clare is designed to house families, not troublesome members of society as it takes +10 minutes by car to reach Point Clare from Gosford police station. By then, my mother or sister is already assaulted, my house robbed and the assailants long gone by the time help arrives. Ironically, if you were to call 000, the fire trucks would come first, then the ambulances and finally the police several minutes later due to the location of these services. I do not wish for my mother or sister to live in a suburb where if somebody breaks in I have to tell them to call the fire trucks and pretend that there is a fire rather than call the police.

   And I love my neighborhood and so do my family and my neighbors. As a suburb with a very good primary school, this attracts immigrants looking for a good education for their children. And with the best selective and non-selective high schools in the Central Coast nearby, (Gosford High School and Henry Kendall High School respectively) Point Clare is a very attractive suburb for these families. This is my family's story and those of our family friends. However if this safety were to be threatened by ex-criminals, drug addicts and sex offenders living only a few blocks away, I cannot see any reason for such people to choose this suburb. And inviting the foreign community is a goal the council should be striving towards. Often they have sizable savings for down payments and typically have good educational qualifications and earn in the higher tax bracket which can only be of benefit.

   Although this may sound like a "not in my backyard" argument, I want you to recognise that by simply placing only a few undesirable members of society in a historically safe neighborhood will cause more damage than what you can expect. Anyone who is looking for a place to settle down with their family or to retire in will undoubtedly priorities their and their children’s safety. Even if these non-law-abiding citizens do not pose any direct harm it only takes one assault or attempt to mentally scar a person, no matter the age. And I believe that you too would not want to see drug addicts injecting at the local park where you child plays with his friends.

   The central coast has a mixed reputation of good and bad suburbs. I implore you, let’s not get rid of one of the good suburbs and turn it into a bad one.

3. Point Clare is known as a safe, family-friendly suburb. The community spends a lot of time around the area of the proposed development, including the Scout’s Hall, Fagan Park and the very popular walking and bike track nearby.
   The proposed location does not fit into the community ideals and is unacceptable that this development go ahead in Point Clare. The risk of exposure to the community is simply too high to possible convicted offenders and their associates.

4. I vehemently oppose these works . Firstly, the proposed 55 units is too large a number of social housing residents to integrate into the very small surrounding neighbourhood. The integration of the social housing people of this size is likely to cause problems with surrounding an established residents who are Sydney workers, with good incomes and higher education.

   Secondly, it will degrade the area. People earning good salaries in Sydney who have recently made the central coast, Point Clare, their home will sell and move away because they will not want to be exposing their families to a lower socio-economic group with a variety of problem inhibiting them from integrating into society such as mental health issues and drugs.

   Thirdly, in the degration of the area and people of high incomes moving away, the city and surrounding areas of gosford will suffer an economic loss and will stop the growth of families and people settling here. They will chose somewhere else to live.

   Fourthly, the council has an obligation to adequately protect the existing residents of point Clare and many young families with small children who walk to the bus and other facilities. Children should NOT be exposed to drug abuse, alcohol abuse, people with mental psychotic episodes, physically violent perpetrators or anyone else posing as a risk to society and especially not of this magnitude.

   Fifthly, it will increase crime in the area that will incite fear in the existing resudence. Point Clare as a suburb has always been seen as a very friendly family neighbourhood populated by young families and retirees with a large number of residents owning their own homes.

   Finally, I noted under the council's " history" of this proposal that you "advertised and notified" residents of this application. I can verify, as well as, all other residents of point Clare by way of signature, that we WERE NOT NOTIFIED. I will be seeking legal advice about the obligations that the council had in adequately notifying residents as well as Baptise Care.

   The Point Clare residents say NO to this proposal!

5. We moved here 10 years ago as we thought the suburb of Point Clare was a secure suburb to live in with good neighbours and not easily accessed by the more undesirable people who seem to come to the Central Coast to do the wrong thing. The development is too big for the area involved and would not be allowed for a normal developer.. There is also not enough parking spaces as required by council for this type of development. Please reject this development and keep it simple for the aged population that already exists there with units only for the aged care that is required on the Central Coast.

6. DA Proposal 51373/2017 Social Housing 193 Brisbane Water Drive
   I am writing to oppose and object to the above proposal development application for the following reasons.
   Current Infrastructure in Point Clare
   With additional 55 units means additional parking and traffic congestion on our roads. Already on Brisbane Water Drive there are issues with increased traffic and this would impact the roads.
   Point Clare Public school is already at capacity and this would be adding additional burden to the already expanded school.
   Social Demographics
   Point Clare suburb is known as great family neighbourhood with strong safety. This development would mean that you are now exposing families to people with potential anti -social behaviour. This is a massive impact to the local community which is a family community suburb. Having people from a lower economic background coming to a high affluent area will mean that Point Clare housing pricing will decrease and insurance premiums will increase due to the security threats. One of the general cost of living, security, insurance, engage security company as I will feel unsafe for both my family and my children.
   If this DA is approved we will be holding Gosford Council viable for any loss ramifications, damage to our properties decrease in property values, safety to my family and increase in costs (security, insurance etc).

   As you can see from the graph above that Point Clare is family and elderly community and is not designed for social or affordable living.
   From the state budget it states upgrades to social housing in Gosford ($1.5 Million). We are not Gosford we are in the suburb of Point Clare.
   Gosford is set up with right infrastructure, Shops / community groups/ transport/hospitals/doctors /police to support social housing where Point Clare is not. Point Clare suburb, demographics are just not the right place to be able to support these people who wish to live in social housing. This needs to be moved to an area that can support these people with the right facilities and not put an additional strain on the limit resources we currently have in place.
   The proposed DA application is not in view or presented on the current proposed site which I believe this must be shown.
   I am very disappointed that Council would even consider such a development in the lovely suburb of Point Clare. Some more diligence need to take place and a move to the another location proposed.
   Baptist Care (Orana ) even have their own website advertising relax in the beauty and peace with would impact their people in the own homes with the additional housing that is being proposed. I am sure the residents of Orana would not be happy to know that additional housing for non- elderly people are being proposed which would impact their own peaceful community.

   Key Features of BaptistCare Orana Centre
   In order to provide the best and fullest care for our residents we are equipped to address many physical or mental-health issues they may have. If you or a loved one required care for located opposite brisbane waters, dotted with private sitting rooms, bbq courtyard & landscaped gardens, at orana our home is your home and on-site canteen hairdresser & cafe then you can seek comfort and support in the quiet area of Point Clare.

   In summary I would urge you to reconsider this application and move to another more suitable area that can accommodate the requirements that some of the challenges that social housing can bring, and move to areas that already support this structure.
   Unfortunately Point Clare is not set up with that kind of support, infrastructure, community environment being a very strong elderly and family community. We also don’t have security options with local police station nearby. I am surprised at Baptistcare as an organisation would consider this option in the location of Point Clare and certainly behind their existing aged care facility. I understand that Baptiscare has values with RESPECT so I am asking Baptistcare to respect our values and keep our beautiful Christian community of Point Clare, safe and family environment and look for alternatives to support the social housing which I agree is important but just not the right suburb or environment.

7. Dear council member
   I would like to take this opportunity to express my disapproval on the proposed social housing development planned for point clare.
   The addition of 55 units on this area will not only put a strain on our community and it schooling issues but also add to the uncertainty of the security of our neighbourhood. Increased traffic and unwanted attention would be a frightening thought for both ourselves and others who live in this peaceful area. I believe there are other options that may not have been looked at for the proposed application by Baptist care. This is a safe and friendly neighborhood that allows us to enjoy the area in which we currently live. Going ahead with this plan would both alter and damage this area both physically and financially by lowering housing prices and reducing the current appeal of the area. Currently we have a broad range of people living in this area from young couples to the elderly. The unwanted attention that would come from building such a development is clearly unacceptable. We want to know that when we leave our houses to go about our daily lives that we can return knowing that everything is as it was left. Introducing 55 units and social housing would create fear of theft crime and this is not something that we want for our peaceful neighbourhood.

8. We moved to the Point Clare over a year ago with our 2 children to ensure they had a better life away from sydney. Point Clare is a family oriented suburb that is safe and provides our family with a better life. I didnt buy this property and commute each day to sydney for work to then find that such a proposal has been lodged. The suburb is not setup infrastructure wise etc to cater for such a development of this size.

   I only heard about this proposal from neighbors so as a rates payer I am digusted that the council has not notified us.

   I invested in this area for a better life for my family and to be part of a family oriented community i didnt invest here to place my family at risk otherwise i would have simply moved to the west. Point Clare is not the right suburb for such a development and clearly the council are out of touch with the community here if this proposal goes ahead. There are a number of familes such as myself that have moved for these reasons so hence i am against this poorly thoughtout development.

9. Me and my husband moved to Point Clare over 2 years ago and commute to and from Sydney for work. We have really enjoyed living in this area and have always felt safe surrounded by a tight community and lovely neighbours. We are very concerned and completely oppose against the social housing proposal.
   We're expecting our first child in 4 weeks time and the thought of having to raise our child and worry about criminals living around the corner terrifies us. Crime rates will raise, we won't feel safe and the reputation of Point Clare will decline. I'm utterly disappointed that this proposal is being considered and pending approval. Point Clare is NOT a place to provide housing for sex offenders, drug addicts or any criminals.

10. Dennis and Maureen Roberts
    We have lived at our present address for 50 years opposite the Orana Homes,in this time we seen the building of the original housing block for the elderly,then the new addition to house dementia clients which needed secure premises for the clients own safety ,even then there was a number of clients that "escaped" and had to be searched for.
    With this new development how can we as family with many different ages of children be sure the Baptist Care Development will be able to protect the community from unsavoury characters that may be moved into the area under the social housing umbrella.
    We as parents and grandparents are concerned for the safety and welfare of all the present residents of this beautiful village Point Clare.

11. To Whom It May Concern
    RE: Central Coast Council DA 193 Brisbane Water Drive Point Clare 79717 Lot 20 DP 879925
    This letter of submission relates to the component of the DA 011.2017.00051373.001 applying for the construction of 12 x 2 bedroom units to accommodate single parent families and the amount of single bedroom dwellings for Seniors Housing proposed within this DA and the subsequent requirement for a subdivision of the land to create said allotments.
    As a resident who lives directly opposite this property I write to vehemently disagree with the concept of this application for developmental approval. Whilst I am a community supporter and fully understand more housing is needed for single parent families – times are very tough in the rental market – the infrastructure required to ensure the sustainable future for a community group described as such has not been fully investigated. I am also grateful there are opportunities for ‘healthy’ seniors to move into communities such as Baptist Care Orana to be cared for. But 43 new single bedroom dwellings? On land the size of the West Gosford Shopping Centre car park? That seems a little extreme.
    With regard to ‘social housing’ proposal within the application it would have to be assumed these single parent families will have children. Where do you expect any Primary children to go to school? If you are banking on Point Clare Public School for the primary aged kids you may be sorely disappointed. This year the school is at maximum capacity (or thereabouts) and the new building works just opened were built to accommodate the current school community, not extra children. The school is running four straight Kindergarten classes this year. Not composites, just Kindergarten. Full. So Gosford Public School will be the next choice. How big is that school? Will these new residents ensure the DET school zones are to be re-zoned again? And has any thought been given to the bus timetabling, and the fact that at around 8am on weekdays the bus stop out the front of Orana is already at capacity with primary and high school children? Will there be extra buses? Has a review or study been done about how full the buses are already, or whether the extra buses stop starting will create more problems with traffic flow on Brisbane Water Drive?
    Another aspect that I believe Baptist Care has not yet considered is the on-flow effect of extra cars in Koolinda, Girralong, and Grace Ave, and Tania Drive. The residents in these streets already have to literally push into Brisbane Water Drive all day every day to get where they want to go, and if you bring more driving residents into this area (let’s just say there will be 43 seniors, and at least 20 social housing adults – some social housing units may have more than one car) – how do you think this is going to affect the already full concept that is Brisbane Water Drive? And that doesn’t even take into account the poor buggers who actually live ON the Drive – like me. The rate payers who live here and who provide financial remuneration for stuff like this.
    Please check your records – I have already lodged a previous complaint about the rubbish I am constantly picking up from the bus stop out the front of my house, and the fact that I have to look at the graffiti’d and rubbished bus stop over the road out the front of Orana from my front door. More people = more rubbish. Not happy, Jan.
    Please, earn some common sense rather than common cents. Whilst Baptist Care obviously have to make a dollar, it should not be at the expense of the residents in the community who are already upset at this slightly secretive delivery of information. The construction over the road at Orana I have had no complaints about thus far – I will be elderly one day and would like to know these facilities exist. Even when the construction over such a long period of time uprooted every member of the rodent and cockroach families in the area and they seemed to congregate at my house. But this is something I will complain about. Not enough thought has been given to how this will affect the residents in the area. And I don’t mean just the residents in the streets surrounding Orana. I mean the residents who have made life quite reasonable for Orana thus far with minimal complaints. Please Central Coast Council, demand a massive redraft of this proposal from Baptist Care – new single bedroom dwellings for the elderly, no problems. About 25 should do it on the current land available. And that’s all.

12. Point Clare residents although only 11 comments objecting this development have been made on this site the letters of ojection to this proposed development amounted to over 110+ from the period of 9th-10th February when the residents of Point Clare where informed by their neighbours not via any communication from the Council on this proposed social Housing development.

    We as a community are and will continue to oppose this development for reasons stated and received by the council.

    I have called council numerous times and will continue to do so until such time I can retrieve where this development is currently situated in the process.

13. Social Justice for All, Unless In My Back Yard, New age NIMBY.
    Hang your Heads in shame OR are you Catholics .

14. Unlike the other commenters I support this development. How can we support our society having a safety net, and a fair go for everyone, but not accept it anywhere hear us? I strongly feel these struggling single mothers should be given a fresh start in our family oriented neighbourhood. We should open our arms, meet them, and include them in our community. If there are problem characters, we will be aware of it sooner and able to raise issues as appropriate, but any good people (which is most people IMO) will have a great chance to integrate with our community. Ideally the selection of applicants will be geared towards people who are seeking employment in Orana, so these new community members will also be caring for our elderly.

    Of course, I very much hope, require and trust that the council will review bus services and school places if required. But there is no need to declare the area "full", rather, supply more services.

    I am not concerned about carparking, as the intended residents are not as rich as the rest of Point Clare and will not all own cars. I wonder if Baptistcare has considered including a car share spot? (eg. goGet or similar). This could be great for this demographic where people do not need a car very often.

15. I am an investor in one of the nearby streets in Point Clare. I am hoping to retire to this property in the future (I can't say I will if this proposal goes through).  

    I object to the idea of providing rental housing for single parent families and families whose parents are entering into the workforce.  The development should remain as a housing facility for the elderly, and no more.

    Will this remain a safe neighbourhood?

    Can Baptist Care or the Gosford Council guarantee that no trouble will be caused by any future occupants who are part of the single parent families or families with parents entering the workforce? I suspect neither one will give a guarantee.  So, the community will be left to deal with any damage if it happens (whether it be physical or reputational).  The neighbouring owners are basically asked to bear the risk and will ultimately pay for it.

    I would not buy into this area if the neighbourhood already included this land use, because I consider the type of occupants do not have the same vested interest in the neighbourhood as landowners whose lives and life savings are tied-up in the area.  We do not know how these occupants will be screened now or in the future by Baptist Care, but suffice it to say that neighbours will have no control over it. Will the neighbourhood enter into another battle if Baptist Care tries to expand the number of non-elderly occupants? To introduce this new land use to an established neighbourhood is unfair to the other homeowners.

    I think it is more appropriate to introduce such land use in a new land subdivision, if Baptist Care and the Government are truly willing to spend money in providing infrastructure to support lower costs housing for these families.  

    Potential damage to land value and reputation?

    Rightly or wrongly, neighbourhoods that contain community housing are generally considered less desirable.  Existence of that type of land use in the neighbourhood may be sufficient to damage the neighbourhood's reputation and home value, even if unsupported by actual misbehaviour.  

    Will Baptist Care or Council guarantee that the neighbourhood's reputation and home value will not be damaged? I think they will not.  So again, it is a risk that neighbours are asked to accept and are left to deal with any loss.  I suspect homeowners may want to consider whether a class action against Baptist Care and the Council is appropriate if neighbours suffer loss because of the introduction of such land use, but I think it would be wiser for all to prevent this from happening in the first place before proceeding further.

16. I and my family including 2 young children have lived in Point Clare for the last 8 years.
    I am not opposed to this development, provided the screenings of potential clients would be as thorough as they claim on their information. I have no reason to believe otherwise.

    Some of the negative leaflets being distributed refer to a "NSW Police Assessment Report" which highlights serious concerns, but as yet I've not been able to obtain the specifics of the report, as we all know how those invested in the "No" campaign can be somewhat skewed with their views, so I would really like more information.

    I have no objection to this development and believe that the negative impacts have been exaggerated, and feel somewhat ashamed of the elitist attitude of the objectors.

    Fact is, helping others entails risk. And I can't think of a better environment for someone legitimately trying to find their footing in life than Point Clare.

    They say on their propaganda that "Baptist Doesn't Care". How? By wanting to help those in most desperate need? The slogan is offensive in the extreme and is an insult to the actual work they do to try and address society's issues, not insulate themselves from it.

    Point Clare is not a gated community. If you want to live in one, move to one. In the meantime, the Point Clare community needs to acknowledge it is a part of a larger society, and participation in that society comes with it a duty of care to ALL it's members, even the "undesirable" ones.

17. Disgraceful. We will be having an increase in crime now. As soon as a social housing development pops up it’s an instant ghetto! Keep them in Redfern. All junkies and ex jailbirds. Point Clare doesn’t want them!

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